Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Royal, a boatswain mate from Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach, was boating in the area with his family when the Jimmy Crack Corn ran aground. Royal immediately brought his vessel over to assist.

A Towboat US crew also responded and assisted Royal in transferring two injured women and one uninjured woman to his boat. Royal then took the women to Carolina Beach State Park to waiting emergency medical services.

“I’m just glad I was in position to assist and get them safely transported to EMS,” said Royal.